September 1 - In the UK, Harwich International Port has welcomed the MPI Resolution - the largest jack-up vessel to call at the port to date.

The world's first purpose-built vessel for installing offshore wind turbines, foundations and transition pieces, the MPI Resolution weighs 14,085 gross tonnes and has a length in excess of 130m.

The vessel is tasked with loading a replacement blade for one of the turbines at the Gunfleet Sands Offshore Wind Farm. This 55m blade, carried on a specialist trailer, arrived at the port on board the DFDS Seaways' vessel Dana Sirena.

Once loaded on board the MPI Resolution, it will be transported to the wind farm for installation. The original blade will then be brought back to Harwich for offloading and subsequent return to Denmark.

David Gledhill, chief executive officer of Hutchison Ports (UK) Ltd, which owns Harwich International Port, said: "The UK's offshore wind power projects are rapidly expanding, both in the size of wind farm developments and the installation vessels used.

"Craft of this scale, and larger, represent the future of offshore wind turbine installation and Harwich International Port offers an ideal base for their operation. We expect them to be regular visitors for years to come."